By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Another night, another large turnout of Decatur and area residents for entertainment. Who says there’s nothing to do in Decatur?
Monday night, it was an estimated 1,000 people to see the Fort Wayne Philharmonic in Bellmont’s Erekson Theater. Tuesday night, it was an even larger crowd, outside, for a Guns & Roses tribute band, honoring of veterans, and fireworks.
After a night off, there was another large turnout, this time at the Madison St. Plaza on Thursday for an electric performance by JUMP, the Van Halen Experience band. The plaza was nearly full even before the 7 p.m. performance began.
The crowd contained numerous Van Halen fans and the band, from Toledo, didn’t disappoint, with Michael Stephen doing his wildest, jumping David Lee Roth best. Their various cuts came the six Van Halen albums produced in 1978-84
Stephen (in photo by Don Nuttle) was all over the place, interacting with the crowd,
Stephen even took a few minutes to recognize the efforts of the country’s service men and women, including those who have passed.
The band – due to play in Okoboji, Iowa, on Saturday, was having so much fun that they continued to play some 20 minutes beyond the usual 9 p.m. finish time.
Other band members are Cody Alexander as lead guitar Eddie Van Halen, Jarrett Cunningham as bassist Michael Anthony, and Eric Sutherland as drummer Alex Van Halen.
More tribute bands are scheduled for the plaza on the next three Thursdays. Next up is the Red NOT Chili Peppers, followed by E5C4P3 (Journey) and Thunderstruck (AC/DC).
There was no local talent available at the latest concert, but Savannah Zimmerman (with dad Josh on guitar) is scheduled for July 13.